H.G. Wells' "The Island of Doctor Moreau"

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at the big themes in H.G. Wells' "The Island of Doctor Moreau" which diametrically oppose each other: the theories of existence (i.e. evolution and religion), and the cruelty and need for dominion that man exhibits towards animals, and ultimately the question of the meaning of it all that Wells poses to his readers.

From the Paper:

"Prendick's first encounter with the creatures of the island is when the ship rescues him. His impression of M'ling is that he is a "misshapen man", and although M'ling turns from Prendick with "animal swiftness", he still refers to him as a man. He considers M?ling a person with animal-like qualities, rather than the other way around. The captain of the ship is called a "brute". His drunken, hostile behavior towards all on-board is construed as beastly. Without provocation, he batters M'ling, who accepts the abuse and does not retaliate. His spirit has been broken like a whipped dog. Wells draws an image here of man against beast, with man being the aggressor, and the beast being the submissive party. Man's attempt at controlling nature through violence and carnage is noted immediately. Ironically, the so-called less civilized creatures are more refined. M'ling conducts himself passively, while the captain behaves barbarously. The two species inter-relate, and the reader sees a bit of beast in the man, and some of man in the beast."

More papers on H.G. Wells' "The Island of Doctor Moreau":

• Argumentative Essay # 102395 : "Adventure Fiction"
• Analytical Essay # 23773 : "The Island of Dr. Moreau"
• Analytical Essay # 4950 : "The Island of Dr. Moreau" and the Creation of an Artificial Man"

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